Impacted tooth

Alternative names:

dental impaction; tooth, unemerged; unemerged tooth

Treatment:

The goal of treatment is to relieve irritation of the mouth caused by the impacted tooth. If the impacted tooth is not causing infection or inflammation, or is not affecting the alignment of the other teeth, no treatment may be necessary.

Over-the-counter analgesics may relieve discomfort. Warm salt water (one-half teaspoon of salt in one cup of water) or over-the-counter mouthwashes may be soothing to the gums.

Extraction (removal) of the tooth is the usual treatment for symptomatic impacted tooth. This often is performed in the dentist's office under local anesthesia. If the tooth is deeply impacted or difficulty with extraction is expected, the dentist may refer the person to an oral surgeon for tooth removal. Antibiotics may be required prior to tooth extraction if the area around the tooth is infected.

Expectations (prognosis):

Impacted teeth may cause no problems for some people and may never require treatment. If the impacted tooth is causing symptoms, treatment, including extraction, is usually successful in resolving the symptoms.

Complications:

• recurrent infection of a partially buried tooth
• abscess of the tooth/gums
• malocclusion of the teeth
• chronic discomfort in the mouth
• "dry socket" once the tooth has been removed

Calling your health care provider:

Call your dentist if there is an unemerged tooth (or partially emerged tooth) and pain in the gums or other symptoms have developed.